2014 Identity Theft Protection Buyers Guide

Excellent online tools:
TransUnion enables you to create an online account where you can view and monitor your TransUnion credit report and score, alerts associated with your credit score, and summaries of your total debt and credit limit. If you find incorrect items on your credit report, you can file a dispute online, a convenient option not offered by many other companies. Also, if you choose to sign up for TransUnion's credit monitoring service, you are able to view alerts associated with your credit scores for any of the three major credit reporting agencies. This is a great feature if you're interested in keeping a close eye on your credit scores, as it immediately lets you know if anything appears out of the ordinary.

FICO and VantageScore available:
While TransUnion takes a bit of a hit in the rankings for not offering Equifax or Experian scores, it somewhat makes up for it by offering FICO and VantageScores. FICO scores are the scores most commonly used by lenders to determine creditworthiness. VantageScore is less commonly used, but it serves a similar purpose. Surprisingly, even though these scores are used so frequently by lenders, it is a little more difficult for the average consumer to find them. The fact that TransUnion offers both of them in addition to its TransUnion credit score is a huge plus.

Financial management resources:
In addition to providing credit scores and reports, TransUnion also has tools available to help you track and manage your finances. With the TransUnion Plus Money Manager, you can track your credit score over time and get alerts when changes are made to your accounts. You can also set up mobile and email alerts for when your bills are due, which helps you avoid missing payments. Another benefit of signing up with TransUnion Plus Money Manager is the ability to view your VantageScore and update it up to twice a month. This gives you an accurate idea of what your score is and whether it's moving in a positive or negative direction.

Business services offered:
TransUnion offers tools and services custom made for the business owner, whether you own a small business or a corporation. This is an excellent bonus since no company outside of the three major credit bureaus offers these types of services. In addition to the TransUnion credit report and score, businesses can also take advantage of marketing tools, consumer credit data, and debt collection tools. Much like the services provided for an individual, the company offers various fraud protection tools designed to stop an identity thief from damaging your business' creditworthiness.